2012 Brings New Opportunities and Outlooks for Small Businesses
2011 had its share of ups and downs for small businesses. With every business there is a plan for the success of that business. Goals are developed and measured to determine effectiveness. With a new year comes new opportunities and new ways of looking at things for 2012. Being a part of the small business world requires a new way of thinking and there are some things to keep in mind:
- 2012 is an era of technology. Today more people access the internet via their cellphones and tablets. Be sure that your website, emails and other online marketing efforts are geared towards this mobile movement. There’s nothing worse then someone wanting to look at your site and finding out that it does not have a mobile application and so they can’t view it. So be sure your site is mobile ready.
- Reach out to your local community. People like to… Continue reading
Why Your Business Strategic Plan Should include a VA
Today there are numerous businesses starting both online and offline. When you are creating a strategic plan on how to run and market your business are you including a virtual assistant (VA) in that plan? If not then you are missing an important piece of the puzzle.
VA’s are helping businesses all over the world run smoothly and effectively. What is a VA? A VA is someone who works remotely or virtually as it is coined from an environment away from your place of business. VA’s traditionally work from their homes and work part-time and full-time.
What can a VA do for you? A VA can do anything that a traditional in office assistant can do outside of meeting people face-to-face. Here are just a few of the things VA’s can do:
- Typing
- Answer Calls
- Web Design
- Graphic Design
- Send Emails
- Email Marketing
- SEO
- Project Management
- Coordinate Meetings/Travel
- And more………..… Continue reading
What’s Your Top “10″ for 2010?
What I want to know is…what are your top 10 goals for 2010 that you have planned for your business? Have you made any plans for your personal strategy in the coming year? Have you started your 2010 strategy plan? If not, then you still have time to start your planning.
As you look forward to where you want to take your business and be personally in 2010, don’t let it over stress you. Take some time this week to think about all that you want to accomplish in 2010 and start making your top “10″ list. Below are some suggestions of areas that you might want to concentrate on:
- Obtaining a mentor
- Updating your office equipment
- Setting up your business website
- Connecting with potential joint venture partners
- Create an Internet strategy plan to grow your business
- Take classes to enrich your knowledge
- Develop a social media presence
Wow, this… Continue reading
From Corporate Job to Being An Entrepreneur
Have you ever felt like you were lassoed into a career like the cartoon above? Do you feel that you have been boxed into doing a job that you are just not passionate about? Don’t be like the cartoon above and get lassoed into a “corporate job” if you have an entrepreneur spirit.
To help you make the transition to being an entrepreneur from working a “corporate job”, I want to encourage you to read The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur (TPE) which was written by Michael Michalowicz. Mike wrote TPE in 2008 and it includes the 10 biggest mistakes that enterpreneurs can make in managing their businesses. Below are the 10 mistakes and a brief explanation regarding each mistake.
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Trying to do it all
To start with the first point, it simply emphasizes that an entrepreneur should not try to be a master of everything but… Continue reading
